5TH DECEMBER 2024
Unity and resilience are the defining traits Ukrainians have shown so vividly during this time of great war.
Unity between the people of Lutsk and Luhansk fighting the common enemy, the bond between generations, men and women, united on February 24, and even more so today — different lives are woven into a shared destiny for Ukraine. The winds of war have scattered us across continents, yet we remain united, as each is part of a collective struggle for independence.
Resilience is in the mothers who say goodbye to their sons heading to the frontline daily. It is the soldiers who return to their mates after injuries. It is the children who continue learning in air raid shelters.
Resilience is in those who hold the line on the battlefield. It is in the 80-year-old grandmother leaving her home destroyed by Russian shelling. It is in those who have survived captivity, raised funds for the military, built businesses, or worked under bombs. It is in those who teach and study to the sound of air-raid sirens and report from the front lines. It is in those who craft trench candles, donate their last savings or millions, weave camouflage nets, and organize charity fairs for the Armed Forces because they cannot do otherwise. Resilience is in everyone who defends their independence and right to be Ukrainian.
This year’s Forum theme is a tribute to every Ukrainian by nationality and heart. It is a gratitude to defenders and volunteers, civil society activists, philanthropists, entrepreneurs, doctors, teachers, public servants, artists, and scientists, to everyone who works every day to bring victory closer and to build Ukraine’s future.
Together, we will restore Ukrainіn territorial integrity, return every piece of our mosaic to its place, preserve the true history — and (with)STAND!
To receive your personalized QR code with event details and avoid queues at the entrance, all participants must register. After registration, you will receive a confirmation email, and shortly before the Forum, you will receive a message with the event location and your individual ticket. If you have not received your QR code, please contact us at support@ednannia.ua or call +38 044 201 01 60.
Important: Please do not plan to participate as a speaker unless the organizers have contacted you directly.
Safety: A shelter is available at the event venue. In case of an air raid alert, participants will be guided to a safe location. While evacuation is required for everyone’s safety, some Forum activities will continue in the shelter.
Veteran’s Business Fair and Materials Exchange: During the Forum, a Veteran’s Business Fair will take place — a great opportunity to support entrepreneurs and purchase holiday gifts. Additionally, we encourage you to bring informational materials about your organization to share with other participants.
We invite representatives of civil society organizations, charitable foundations, community activists, and volunteers to join us. This is your space for promotion, networking, and learning. If you are passionate about civic engagement and see yourself in the civil society, this is the place for you. Perhaps you are just beginning to explore activism and the civil society sector, and you find it inspiring but are still considering your role — here, you can dive deeper, connect with key players, and potentially find your place among them.
We also invite organizational development service providers — this is your opportunity to showcase your services, understand the needs and demands of the civil society sector, and connect with your target audience.
We welcome international partners and donors who aim to strengthen the role of civil society—this Forum is where you’ll find numerous potential partners.
Additionally, we extend an invitation to public officials, local community representatives, and local authorities — here, you’ll hear about ideas and solutions addressing both local and national challenges.
The 13th annual Civil Society Development Forum is organized by the Initiative Center to Support Social Action Ednannia and has been made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) within the Ukraine Civil Society Sectoral Support Activity implemented by ISAR Ednannia in partnership with the UCIPR and CEDEM; with support of the European Union; with the financial support of the Governments of Norway and Sweden; with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the UK International Development, through the Promoting Integrity in the Public Sector Activity (Pro-Integrity); with support of UNDP Ukraine and financial support of the Governments of Denmark and Japan; Save the Children and Humanitarian Leadership Academy (HLA); OSCE Support Programme for Ukraine; the EU Anti-Corruption Initiative (EUACI), funded by the EU, and co-funded and implemented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark; Alliance of Ukrainian Civil Society Organizations; the International Renaissance Foundation, the Ch. S. Mott Foundation, and in partnership with the Secretariat of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.
Organizational partners are the Competent Assistance to Army Foundation Come Back Alive, Ukraïner NGO, the Kulturnastup Initiative, and the Bilka Publishing House.
Information partners are the Ukrainska Pravda and the UP Club, and the ShoTam Media.